Protective Facial Covering System with Insertable Whistle Device

ABSTRACT

A facial covering protects the wearer&#39;s face against air pollution, extreme weather conditions and communicable viruses when the wearer using a whistle device during activities. This facial covering enables the user to blow the whistle without the need to remove the covering from their face. Furthermore, the wearer can blow the whistle without interference of the whistle sound that can be caused by the whistle being totally enclosed in the facial covering. In this invention, a wearer inserts the mouth piece section of a whistle through a linear opening in the facial covering. Once inserted through the opening, the whistle mouth piece section is secured to the facial opening by an expandable and contractable material. Once inserted in and secured to the facial covering, the wearer can use the whistle without diminution in whistle performance while not exposing their face to the specific atmosphere conditions. After the completion of an activity, a wearer can remove the whistle element from the protective facial covering.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application relates to and claims priority from provisional patent application No. 63/085,961. The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This invention relates to a facial covering capable of receiving and retaining a whistle device. In particular, this invention is a facial covering used during athletic events or other physical activities to protect the wearer and where the wearer of the facial covering uses a whistle in their activities. More specifically, this invention is a facial covering used by officials during competitive events to protect the wearer while performing his or her activity during the event or by other professions such as police during traffic controls or school crossing guards or athletic coaches and workers. This facial covering is capable of receiving and retaining a whistle device during the activities.

BACKGROUND

The air people breathe contains many substances. In addition to oxygen, these substances include chemicals, pollens, bacteria, dust, smoke, vehicle exhaust and many other materials or matter that can be harmful when one breathes them into his or her body. Harmful bacteria particles floating in the air and inhaled by people are a primary means through which people contract contagious diseases. As a result of the air quality in some areas, people especially those having respiratory challenges may wear masks during their daily activities. Because of air quality and health concerns, wearing masks is not an unusual practice.

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has caused a new urgency to mask wearing practice. To reduce the possibility of contracting the COVID-19 virus and to reduce the possibility spreading the virus, people are encouraged to wear masks when they are out in public. Many businesses require patrons to wear a mask before they are allowed to enter the establishment. State and local municipalities have also enacted laws requiring people to wear masks when in public places. The devastating effects of the COVID-19 virus have caused people in all walks of life to alter their behaviors. This virus has also caused businesses and organizations to change their operating procedures.

One activity greatly impacted by this virus is sports. Leagues in various sports from the professional level down to the little league have either canceled or altered their seasons in the year 2020. In addition, when participating in these sports, a wide-range of precautions are taken. For example, many football leagues require team members to wear masks when they are not actually on the field. The precautions can extend to the persons officiating the games.

Officiating certain sporting events during a pandemic is a challenging task. Many officials are older and have legitimate concerns about officiating sporting events in a pandemic. Sporting events requiring running or other physical exertion are particularly challenging. Attempting to run and blow a whistle while wearing a mask has seemed difficult and many officials have opted not to wear the mask and risk the possibility of contracting a disease. Other approaches to address this issue include using a electronic hand whistle to make the whistle sound. However, in some sports such a football, officials already can have other devices and tools in their hands. Another solution has been a mask containing a pocket for the whistle. With this product, the whistle is enclosed which could dampen the whistle sound. Still other officials wear a gator facial covering and pull down the cover to blow the whistle. After the play, these officials pull up the gator to cover their face.

There remains a need for facial covering that sporting event officials and others can use to protect their faces from elements while being able to simultaneously blow their whistle device.

SUMMARY

This invention provides a facial covering and whistle system one can use to perform task that require the blowing of a whistle. These tasks can include officiating sporting events, directing vehicle traffic or pedestrian traffic. This facial covering system will protect the wearer's face and protect the wearer from contaminants in the air to protect a person from illness or cold or inclement weather. This facial covering system comprises a conventional face covering such as a mask. A reinforced slit in the facial covering provides an opening through which can insert the mouthpiece portion of a whistle device. The dimension of the opening can be such that the whistle mouthpiece fits snuggly and securely through the opening. A stretchable and contractable material embedded in or attached to the covering or whistle element serves to further secure the whistle element in the facial covering. The facial covering also serves to hold the whistle freeing up the wearer's hands. The wearer of the facial covering can perform their tasks in an efficient manner which having their face protected from air born contaminants. After completion of an activity, the wearer can remove the whistle element from the facial covering until the next desired use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a facial profile view of a person wearing a protective facial covering with an inserted whistle in the person's mouth in accordance to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a facial profile view of a person wearing a protective facial covering with an inserted whistle inside the covering but outside of the person's mouth in accordance to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the front outside surface of the protective facial covering.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a whistle inserted through the protective facial covering from outside to inside the covering.

FIG. 5 is a view of the inner side surface of the protective facial covering.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the outer surface of the protective facial covering with elastic means securing a whistle in the facial covering.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a mask protective facial covering being worn with an inserted whistle.

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a gaiter protective facial covering being worn with an inserted whistle.

FIG. 9 is a view of an elastic patch with an opening in the facial covering through which a whistle is inserted.

FIG. 10 is a view of the elastic patch attached to the inner surface of the protective facial covering.

FIG. 11 is a close up view of the opening in a protective facial covering through which a whistle is inserted.

FIG. 12 is a close up view of the opening in a protective facial covering with re-enforced edges of the opening.

FIG. 13 is an elastic patch section with an opening for insertion of a whistle element.

FIG. 14 is a protective facial covering with an elastic section, for insertion of a whistle, as part of the facial covering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the invention uses the phrases protective facial covering and facial covering in an interchangeable manner. The protective facial covering system has a facial covering that fits mainly over the wearer's nose, mouth and chin. The primary area for the desired protection is the nose and mouth. These organs are the one responsible for a person's inhaling and exhaling air. The covering can also fit over part or a person's entire chin to secure the covering on the wearer's face. The facial covering is preferably made of a cloth material. This material is more durable. As a result, one can wash the facial covering and use it multiple times. In addition, this material can still facilitate an acceptable and sufficient level of breathing for the wearer. However, other materials may be used as long as they adequately provide the features of flexibility, durability and the ability to allow for efficient flow of air to facilitate ease in breathing.

The facial covering contains a small slit through which one will insert the mouth piece portion of a whistle element. The edges of this slit will be reinforced to maintain a structural integrity for the slit and to prevent material fraying. One way to reinforce these edges is by sewing them. It is important that the strength and structure of the edges be maintained to ensure the security of the whistle device when inserted through the slit opening.

The whistle device inserted through the slit in the facial covering from the outside of the facial covering. Only the mouth piece portion of the whistle is inserted through the facial covering. When wearing the facial covering, the person can access the whistle mouth piece with his or her mouth and blow the whistle. With this approach, the body portion of the whistle that releases the sound is on the outside of the facial covering and thereby enabling the sound to be released without any interference from the covering. The wearer of the facial covering can blow the whistle and talk, if desired while his or her face is still covered and protected.

To ensure further stability of the mouthpiece portion of the whistle through the facial covering, stop element can be inserted over the whistle mouthpiece on the inside of the facial covering. This stop element can be made of rubber or other material. The preference is that the stop element material has some elasticity to provide easier insertion and retraction from the mouthpiece portion of the whistle device. For example, a rubber ban can serve a similar purpose. In addition, some whistle products come with a ridged material already on the mouthpiece that can serve this stopping function. The mask or other facial covering can have all of the features mask come with to function as desired, such as a wire material over the nose bridge. This bridge helps a mask better on a person's face. Further, the protective facial covering can include coverings such as a face mask, a gaiter covering or a ski mask product that covers substantially the entire face.

Referring to FIG. 1 shown is a facial profile view of a person wearing a protective facial covering 102 with an inserted whistle 104 in the person's mouth in accordance to the present invention. As can be seen, this protective covering is a conventional mask. The mouth piece portion of the whistle element is inside the wearer's mouth when the wearer uses the whistle in an activity. Notice the mask covers the wearer's nose and mouth (which are the breathing organs). The wearer can blow the whistle, but still breathe in air that passes through the protective mask. In FIG. 2 , the mask 202 still covers the wearer's face. The whistle 204 still has the mouth piece inserted through the mask, but not in the wearer's mouth. Although the user or wearer has the whistle inserted through the mask, the user can still speak if needed without removing the mask. With the mask embodiment of the facial covering, the user can adjust the mask tension on the face as desired by the wearer. These adjustment capabilities provide the ability for the user to uniquely fit the mask on the user's face.

FIG. 3 is a view of the front outside surface of the protective facial covering 302. The slit opening 306 provides the point for insertion of a whistle into the mask. The straps 308 secure the mask to the wearer's face. In some designs, adjustable straps allow the wearer to adjust the tension of the mask for a comfortable fit on the person's face. The edges of the opening 306 are reinforced to prevent material fraying and to strengthen the opening edges for more structural integrity. In application, there will be numerous whistle insertions and retractions through this opening. In order to maintain proper functioning of the mask, the integrity of the edges of this opening must be maintained. In addition, it is desirable for this opening to have the capability to expand and retract in order to receive and secure the whistle in the mask. In one embodiment, the edges of this opening can be reinforced with an elastic thread. This thread can prevent the fraying of the opening edges. Also, the elasticity of the thread can cause the opening the contract. As the whistle is inserted into the opening, it will be necessary to stretch and expand the opening for insertion of the whistle. Once the whistle is inserted into the opening, the elasticity of the opening can cause the edges to retract and thereby secure the whistle mouth piece through the opening to the mask. The tension of the contracted elastic thread on the whistle mouth piece secures the whistle in the mask.

FIG. 4 shows the side view of an embodiment of the protective facial covering of the present invention in which the securing element is one or more O-rings. In this embodiment, the mask facial covering 302 has the whistle 304 inserted in to the mask opening. The insertion of the whistle is from the outside surface of the mask through the mask and inner surface of the mask. As an alternative to or in combination with an opening with elastic reinforcement, there can be the application of one or more O-ring elements 310 to the whistle mouth piece to secure the whistle to the mask. An initial O-ring 310 can be applied to the whistle mouth piece on the inner side of the mask. When applied to the whistle mouth piece, the O-ring prevents the whistle mouth piece from being retract from the mask or falling out of the mask. A second O-ring 310 attached on the whistle on the outer side of the mask 302 provides further stability to ensure the whistle stays in a fixed position in the mask. This O-ring can also keep the mask material from surrounding the whistle to the point that the whistle outlet openings through which the sound flows become completely or partially blocked.

As mentioned, insertion of the whistle into the mask occurs from the outer side of the mask through to the inner side of the mask. FIG. 5 gives a view of the inner side surface of the protective facial covering. The mask 502 has a reinforced opening 510. Through this opening the mouth piece of the whistle 504 is inserted from the outside to the inner side. FIG. 6 is another side view of the protective facial covering of the present invention. This view shows the basic configuration of the whistle element 604 inserted through the protective facial covering 602 with a stretchable and contractable securing means 610. In this embodiment, the securing means 610 could be the before mentioned O-rings, rubber band or other flexible materials capable of securing the whistle in the facial protective covering of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a mask protective facial covering being worn with an inserted whistle. As shown, the mask 702 primarily covers the nose and mouth areas of the wearer's face. The size of the mask and the area it covers can vary. For example, the amount of the jaw area leading to the ears covered may be different for different mask designs. However, in any variation of the design, the nose and mouth areas are covered. The whistle 704 extends through the mask opening and into the wearer's mask and mouth. The location of the mask opening on the mask should be such that the mask fits uniformly and comfortably on the wearer's face. Ear straps can also assist in adjusting the fit of the mask on the wearer.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the protective facial covering of the present invention. This view is a frontal view of a gaiter protective facial covering 802 being worn with an inserted whistle. In this embodiment, the facial covering comes up from the wearer's neck area and over the mouth and nose areas of the person. Similar to FIG. 7 , the whistle 804 extends from outside the gaiter through the opening into the gaiter where the person can blow it.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the protective facial covering can incorporate an elastic patch 914 to secure the whistle when inserted into the facial covering. The means to secure the whistle to the facial covering can be of a stretchable and contractable material. The stretchable characteristic enables the material and incorporate slot opening to expand to receive the whistle mouth piece when inserting it into the facial covering. The contractable characteristic surrounds the whistle mouth piece and causes the material to contract to its original form after insertion of the whistle mouth piece section. This contraction action results in tension on the mouth piece that holds the whistle in place and secures it to the protective facial covering. This elastic patch will have an opening similar to the protective facial covering. The edges of the elastic patch can be reinforced to prevent fraying in a manner similar to the opening in the facial covering. As shown in FIG. 10 , this elastic patch 1014 can be permanently affixed to the protective facial covering 1002 or it can be a separate element of the system of the present invention. If permanently affixed to the protective facial covering, the preferred approach should be to affix the patch to the inner side of the facial covering. This positioning is primarily for esthetic purposes. The functionality of the patch should be the same regardless of its positioning on the inner of outside of the protective facial covering. When affixing the patch 1014 to a facial covering, it is essential to properly align the patch opening and the facial covering openings for efficient insertion and retraction of the whistle from the facial covering.

FIG. 11 is a close up view of the opening in a protective facial covering 1102 through which a whistle is inserted. As mentioned, the edges 1116 of the opening need to be reinforced to first prevent the edges from fraying. If these edges began to fray, the opening can expend or become larger. When this occurs the opening can be too large for the facial covering to independently hold the whistle. For example, if the facial covering cannot independently hold the whistle, when the whistle is not in the user's mouth, the whistle could fall out of the facial covering and onto the ground or other surface. The user could lose the whistle. Second, reinforcing the opening edges provides structural integrity and durability to strengthen the opening for repeated whistle insertion and retraction from the protective facial covering. A third reason for reinforcing the edges of the opening is provide tension FIG. 12 is a close up view of the opening in a protective facial covering 1214 with re-enforced edges of the opening 1216. The material used to reinforce the edges of the opening is usually a thread material. The reinforcing process can be similar to process for reinforcing a button hole. The thread material can be an elastic thread. As mentioned, when using an elastic thread, the elasticity of the thread causes a reduction in the size of the opening 1216. To insert the whistle, the opening is stretched to expand the opening. Once the whistle is inserted through the opening the elasticity of the thread causes it to contract around the whistle mouth piece and secure the whistle in the protective facial covering.

FIG. 13 is an elastic patch section with an opening for insertion of a whistle element similar to FIG. 12 . In an alternate embodiment of the protective facial covering of the present invention, the elastic patch 1314 with opening 1306 can actually be incorporated into the facial covering as opposed to being attached to it. Shown in FIG. 14 is a protective facial covering 1402 with an elastic section 1414, for insertion of a whistle, as part of the facial covering. An open section 1420 of the facial covering 1402 can have the same shape and dimensions of the elastic patch 1414. In one embodiment, this patch 1414 can be inserted into the open section 1420 and affixed to the facial covering. In this embodiment, there is no attaching of an elastic patch to a facial covering and aligning openings of the facial covering and elastic patch. In still another embodiment, there can be a material already having an elastic section. In this case, the facial covering can be designed such that the elastic section incorporates the protective facial covering opening. In the described embodiments, the insertion of the whistle into the facial covering is similar. In the embodiment where the elastic patch is separate from the facial covering, the wearer can insert a whistle mouth piece from the outer side of the facial covering to the inner side and then insert the elastic patch around the whistle mouth piece. Once the elastic patch is affixed to the whistle mouth piece on the inner side of the facial covering, the whistle is secured to the facial covering.

In the method of making the protective facial covering, a determination is made where to create the slit on the mask. Positioning the location of the slit is an important task. If the slit is not placed in an appropriate location, a facial covering such as a mask may not fit on the wearer in a desirable position when the wearer inserts the whistle into the facial covering for use. In addition, reinforcing the edges of the slit by sewing or other means helps maintain slit structural integrity and durability and prevents fraying of the edge material. The slit opening in the facial covering is analogous to a button hole. As one can understand in many clothing items, the button hole can have reinforced stitching.

In addition, when employing the embodiment having a separate elastic patch, a user will insert a whistle device into the facial covering opening from the outer side of the covering to the inner side. The user will then insert the whistle mouth piece section into the opening slit in the elastic patch. When inserted into the stretchable and contractable elastic patch, the patch will contract around the whistle mouth piece. At this point, the elastic patch attached to the whistle mouth piece section will secure the whistle to the facial covering and will prevent the whistle falling out of the facial covering through the outer side of the covering.

This facial covering system provides advantages over the current products and solution approaches that address using a whistle device with a facial covering. The whistle is removable from the mask and reinserted. The mask is can be washed or cleaned and reused.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a facial covering can also have a nose opening. This embodiment is primarily for use in inclement weather to protect the face and avoid the cold weather when performing tasks that require a whistle.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. 

1. A facial covering for protecting a wearer's face while blowing a whistle element comprising: a facial covering having an outer side, an inner side and an opening in said facial covering with re-enforced opening edges to prevent the edges from fraying, to maintain structural integrity of the opening edges and to secure a whistle element positioned through the opening in the facial covering, such that a mouth piece section of the whistle element can be inserted through the opening in the facial covering from the outer side of the facial covering to the inner side of the facial covering such that a wearer of the facial covering can blow the whistle element on the inner side of the facial covering and sound produced by the whistle element from a wearer of the facial covering blowing into the whistle element projects outward from the outer side of the facial covering, said facial covering being able to protect the wearer's face; and a whistle securing element for securing the whistle element to said facial covering when the whistle element is positioned through said facial covering.
 2. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 1 wherein said whistle securing element further comprises a stretchable and contractable material to further secure the whistle element to said facial covering when the whistle element is inserted through the opening in said facial covering.
 3. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 2 wherein said stretchable and contractable securing element further comprises an elastic o-ring secured to the mouth piece section of the whistle element on the inner side of the facial covering to prevent said the mouth piece section of the whistle element inadvertently becoming dislodged from said facial covering.
 4. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 3 wherein said stretchable and contractable securing element further comprises a second elastic o-ring secured to the mouth piece section of the whistle element on the outer side of the facial covering to firm fix and hold the whistle element in the facial covering.
 5. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 2 wherein said stretchable and contractable securing element further comprises an elastic patch comprising elastic material and having opening for insertion of the mouth piece section of a whistle element through the opening, said elastic patch being attached to said facial covering with the opening of said elastic patch aligned with the opening of said facial covering.
 6. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 2 wherein said stretchable and contractable securing element further comprises an elastic patch comprising elastic material and having an opening with re-enforced opening edges to prevent the edges from fraying, to maintain structural integrity of the opening edges and to secure a whistle element inserted through the opening, for insertion of the mouth piece section of a whistle element through the opening, said elastic patch being attached to said facial covering with the opening of said elastic patch aligned with the opening of said facial covering.
 7. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 5 wherein said elastic patch is attached to the inner side of said facial covering.
 8. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 5 wherein said elastic patch is attached to the mouth piece section of a whistle after the mouth piece section of the whistle is inserted through the opening in the facial covering.
 9. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 1 wherein said whistle securing element comprises an elastic material that re-enforces edges of the facial cover opening to prevent the edges from fraying, to provide structural integrity of the opening edges and to facilitate expansion of the facial cover opening to accommodate insertion of the mouth piece section of a whistle.
 10. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 2 wherein said stretchable and contractable securing element forms part of said facial covering and wherein the reinforced opening of the facial covering through which the whistle element is inserted is contained in the stretchable and contractable material of said securing element.
 11. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 2 wherein said stretchable and contractable securing element further comprising an elastic material section embedded into said facial covering and wherein the reinforced opening of the facial covering through which the whistle element is inserted is contained in the elastic material.
 12. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 1 wherein said facial covering is a mask covering.
 13. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 1 wherein said facial covering is a gaiter covering.
 14. A protective facial covering system for protecting a wearer's face while blowing a whistle element comprising: a facial covering having an outer side, an inner side and an opening in said facial covering with re-enforced opening edges to prevent the edges from fraying, to maintain structural integrity of the opening edges and to secure a whistle element inserted through the opening, such that a mouth piece section of the whistle element can be inserted through the opening in the facial covering from the outer side of the facial covering to the inner side of the facial covering such that a wearer of the facial covering can blow the whistle element on the inner side of the facial covering and sound produced by the whistle element from a wearer of the facial covering blowing into the whistle element projects outward from the outer side of the mask, said facial covering being able to protect the wearer's face; and an elastic patch securing element comprising elastic material and having an opening with re-enforced opening edges to prevent the edges from fraying, to maintain structural integrity of the opening edges and to secure a whistle element when a mouth piece section of the whistle element is inserted through the elastic patch securing element opening, said elastic patch securing element being attachable to said facial covering.
 15. A method for facial protection while blowing a whistle element comprising: creating opening in a protective facial covering by determining a location in the protective facial covering for an opening and creating the opening at the determine location in the protective facial covering; reinforcing edges of the created opening in the protective facial covering with a thread material to prevent fraying of the edges of the created opening and to ensure structural integrity of these edges; positioning a mouth piece section of a whistle device through the created opening in the protective facial covering; securing the whistle device in the protective facial covering to prevent the whistle from moving and falling out of the protective facial covering when being used by a wearer of the protective facial covering.
 16. The method for facial protection while blowing a whistle element as described in claim 15 further comprising after securing the device in the protective facial covering adjusting the whistle element and protective facial covering to ensure that sound projected out of the whistle element when a wearer blows the whistle is not impeded by the protected facial covering or any element securing the whistle element to the facial covering.
 17. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 1 further comprising an elastic stretchable material embedded in the edges of the opening to re-enforce the opening to prevent the edges from fraying, to maintain structural integrity of the edges and to secure a whistle element inserted through the opening.
 18. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 17 wherein said elastic stretchable material embedded in the edges of the opening can stretch to expand the opening to allow insertion of a whistle mouthpiece element through the opening and said elastic stretchable material embedded in the edges of the opening can contract to secure the whistle in the facial covering.
 19. The facial covering for protecting a wearer's face as described in claim 17 wherein said elastic stretchable material embedded in the edges of the opening is sown into the edges of the opening. 